Hey friends, so maybe you never heard about Calypso?! I want tell you about some famous Calypso singers over the years. I love calypso music because it is an incredible rhythm. I want to listen to my favorite calypso artists out there. I am going to let you know more about calypso here. I will write about some of the best calypso singers in the history of this music, and you will love it too. Their names are Mighty Sparrow and Lord Mouse.Mighty Sparrow
Mighty Sparrow is a songwriter, calypso singer, and a guitarist. He is also known as the king of calypso all over the world. Mighty Sparrow has won many competitions related to this type of music. He was born in West Indies in 1935 and moved to Trinidad with his family in 1937. Mighty Sparrow started singing since he is just a small child, which is truly amazing for any children out there. He even performed with a famous band at the important Carnival when he was 14. People called him Little Sparrow because he was truly energetic on stage.
In 1954, Mighty Sparrow started to sing as an important carnival singer. He made his first recording in 1955. These recordings were included in a famous compilation later. He won the important Calypso King competitions in 1956 in Trinidad with one of his most famous songs. He worked hard to boycott the completion of Calypso King in Trinidad because he only got $40 when he won the prize. This was a mockery and he included a lot of musician in his boycott to this competition over time. Mighty Sparrow also worked hard to have many local hits in 1957 and 1956.
Lord Mouse
Lord Mouse was a calypso band established in Germany. They started to sing calypso in 2008 producing music independently, which is truly awesome for any band out there. The band released two albums. This was one of the few calypso bands that worked in Europe. They worked hard to give public awareness of calypso to many European nations. They also got tons of followers in Japan and Russia. Calypso gained tons of popularity in America in the 1950s thanks to Harry Belafonte´s songs, but this type of music started in earnest just in the mid- 1920s.
Calypso has also been forgotten in Europe. Lord Mouse made it possible for Europeans to dance with calypso singers. The members of Lord Mouse came from many places around the world, but the band itself was based in Berlin, Germany. Europeans have also recognized calypso as a musical form that is worthy of a place in the musical history of this continent. The band used modern recording techniques mixing a classic sound. Lord Mouse managed to forge a truly successful relationship with a wide audience including the music industry people, and this was very important for this band over time.

So as I think through what this means, there was just one problem. You’ve probably already guessed it. I didn’t look anything at all like this woman. But I did feel like I’d seen her before. As if this wasn’t the first time I didn’t measure up to her appearance. It was then that I realized that everybody who was anybody looked exactly like her. They were thin but shapely, with fair-like skin, (you might be surprised to know that even in the black community brighter skin is more valued) long hair, tons of makeup, and most importantly sex appeal. I on the other hand had been a little chunky all my life, my skin was darker than most, my hair was too curly to comb and difficult to straighten so forget about it being long, I was too young for makeup and sex appeal was not allowed in my house. Where was everyone getting this idea of a love interest? Or of an attractive woman?

Consequently, it all starts with society’s definition of gender. Or in the case of a woman, society’s definition of what it means to be feminine. From childhood, we are taught gender roles; that we as girls should be gentle, kind, submissive, quiet, pretty, charming, etc. And as we get older, gender roles only become more complex. And more becomes expected of the gender. Along with being all of the above, we are now approached by society’s expectation of beauty, attractiveness, and sexuality.

My college ministry leader (SHIFT Ministry) used to always say that your beauty and attractiveness doesn’t depend on what society says, but ultimately depends on what Jesus and the Bible says about you. I really appreciate the way he helped me focus on what is important in life and keep my identity in Jesus Christ rather than in what the world tells me about me. Speaking about my college ministry leader, he now works with a carpet cleaning company in Orlando, and has taken a step back from college ministry. I do miss him, but anywho, more thoughts tomorrow on Chris Brown’s video…

I must have watched Chris Brown’s “Yo (Excuse Me Miss) a little over a million times. I can literally give a play by play of the entire video at any given time. I’ve had the lyrics memorized for years; even the ad libing parts. Chris Brown was my one true love. And having never been in love before, I kinda liked the feeling. It was only a matter of time before I began planning our future together. I even began imagining how we would meet. Of course, my only basis for this imaginary encounter was his music video. In which a thin but shapely girl, with fair-like skin, long hair, tons of makeup, and revealing clothing that gave her sex appeal, catches his attention. He then proceeds to follow her around; dancing and flirting and trying to impress her. The video approaches an end as they get in a car and begin staring intently at one another and touching all over each other. They exchange numbers, my heart breaks, Chris Brown raps the ending of the song and gives a preview of his next single. Basically, I thought, all I had to do, as an 11 year old girl, was find a way to look like this woman. Chris Brown would notice me (walking by or at one of his concerts perhaps), we’d exchange numbers and live happily ever after.

If you are a fan of Chris Brown, I would love to hear from you as well. American and true double platinum music icon coming at you live. I know, he had that issue with his girlfriend and it stinks that things like that has to happen, but I believe he is a changed man. You gotta admit, he has so much talent. It is amazing. Much influence from Michael Jackson and Usher. Let me know if you are a Chris Brown fan as well. Thanks guys! Check out one of his videos!

What would it look like if Calypso fans and Afro-Caribbean music lovers unite? Mixing sick beats all throughout Florida and bringing tastes of Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaican flavors and French and African roots to the music we love to hear. If you have no idea what Calypso music is, you need to read up on your education my friend. Check out Wikipedia here -If anyone loves Calypso music as much as I do please hit me up! Calling out to the whole world wide web, if you’re out there don’t hesitate to comment and share with me what your favorite songs are.